The question is though - with a planned withdrawal from the East as advertised by the Govt will we really need to introduce 22 new Tac AT / Strat Minus platforms within the reduced UK military?
What will our role be? - if numbers and rumours are to be believed then surely 10 C17s (extra airframes to be procured - second hand?) and 30 C130Js (extra platforms purely for specific roles) will be more than enough airlift for UK PLC?
Especially as we are tied in to an expensive PFI for FSTA - there's your Strat AT and AR platform.
Is the A400M required for Britains future reduced defence role?
I don't think it will be.